Before delving into the exciting Illinois Gaming Board meeting, we wanted to remind those who may be interested that the IGB is seeking public comments and proposals for a potential video gaming rulemaking. The rule could allow temporary operating permits, expedited licensure and/or conditional licensure in narrow circumstances where video gaming establishment applicants have satisfied necessary suitability, eligibility and gaming integrity requirements and safeguards. The deadline to submit comments is 5 pm on April 30, 2024.

The IGB held its monthly meeting on Thursday, April 25, 2024. The meeting was hybrid with in-person accessibility at 160 N. LaSalle St., 5th Floor Auditorium and via livestream. Board members present at this meeting included Chairman Schmadeke, Member Hayden, Member Garcia and Member Kolar.

The meeting began with the approval the minutes of the regular board meeting from March 14, 2024.

Administrator’s Report

The Administrator began his report like we began this newsletter. He reminded everyone that the IGB is looking for public commentary on potential video gaming rules, for a narrow field of establishment applicants, in which licenses would be issued based on an expedited licensing process or some sort of temporary license process would be implemented. The Administrator reiterated that this potential new rule would not be applicable to all establishment applications but rather, those establishments with specific circumstances. In his comments, the Administrator provided the following examples of those potential circumstances:

• Applicants that are already licensed
• Applicants whose Persons with Significant Influence/Control (PSICs) have all been previously investigated and/or found suitable
• Terminal Operators providing a list of prioritized pending applications

Comments should be submitted to IGB.Rulecomments@illinois.gov, however, we are also looking forward to hearing your innovative comments and ideas on this potential new rule so please feel free to email us prior to your submission. This has been a point of contention for a number of our clients, so we are excited to see the IGB’s interest in potentially resolving these issues.

The Administrator next reminded the industry — and particularly sports wagering licensees — that their advertising and marketing should not target or try to appeal to those under 21. He stated that licensees will be responsible for any marketing done by their outside consultants and marketing agencies. To close his remarks, the Administrator reminded everyone that individuals should only wager through licensed operators and encouraged those questioning a provider’s validity to visit the IGB website for a current list of licensed operators.

As for the most current and up to date revenue numbers, we recommend visiting the IGB’s website and each specific industry’s page. Video Gaming revenue, for example, can be found here: https://www.igb.illinois.gov/VideoReports.aspx.

Casino

The casino portion of this meeting began with the Board approving the following Key Persons and Level 1 Licensees:

• Herbert Bullard for Danville Development, LLC d/b/a Golden Nugget Danville
• Karen Eng for Danville Development, LLC d/b/a Golden Nugget Danville
• Shawn Griffin for Danville Development, LLC d/b/a Golden Nugget Danville
• Emery Lewis for Danville Development, LLC d/b/a Golden Nugget Danville
• Andrew Pond for Danville Development, LLC d/b/a Golden Nugget Danville
• John Janicky for Casino Queen, Inc. d/b/a DraftKings at Casino Queen – VP of Marketing
• Timothy Stephens for his role as Corporate Director of IT for Casino Queen, Inc. d/b/a DraftKings at Casino Queen
• Samantha Osborne for her role as Senior Internal Auditor for The Rock Island Boatworks, LLC
• Jessica Russell for her role as Director of Finance for Walker’s Bluff Casino Resort
• Timothy Stransky for his role as Internal Audit Director for Walker’s Bluff Casino Resort

The Board then granted initial supplier licenses to 1) American Gaming & Electronics, Inc. and 2) First American Bankcard, Inc.

Additionally, the Board approved 76 Level 2 and 83 Level 3 occupational licenses and issued seven notices of denial.

The Administrator then issued renewals to all occupational licensees that were up for renewal and had provided updated information, timely paid their renewal fees, and complied with all other requirements.

Sports Wagering

During the Sports Wagering section, the Board granted initial management services provider licenses to 1) Crown IL Gaming, LLC (Draft Kings at Casino Queen) and 2) Northside Crown Gaming, LLC (wagering provider at Wrigley Field) and granted a master sports wagering facility license and an initial master sports wagering provider license to Northside Crown Gaming, LLC.

The Board then issued 111 Level 2 occupational licenses and the Administrator granted renewals to the Level 1, 2, and 3 licensees that were up for renewal, had provided updated information to the IGB, timely paid their renewal fees, and complied with all other requirements.

Video Gaming

The Video Gaming meeting began with the Board granting an initial supplier license to Landry Holdings, LLC d/b/a Casino Tech and initial terminal operator licensees to the following three companies:

• Gamacy LLC;
• Merrill Ridge LLC; and
• Outplay Entertainment LLC.

The Board also granted four terminal technician licenses and 33 terminal handler licenses. Additionally, the Board rescinded a handler denial as the individual resolved his alleged pending tax issue. Following that, the Administrator issued one notice of nonrenewal. Finally, the Administrator renewed the terminal handler, technician, and location licensees that were up for renewal and had provided updated information to the IGB, timely paid their renewal fees, and complied with all other requirements.

The meeting continued with the IGB approving 123 location applicants for licensure and issuing five denials to the following establishments, including one for statutory ineligibility:

• El Vallarta Sports Bar & Grill 2 Inc. d/b/a El Vallarta Sports Bar & Grill
• Fairview BP Inc. d/b/a Sav-On-Liquor #9
• Indian Tadka of Chicago LLC d/b/a Indian Tadka of Chicago
• Primo's Lounge Inc. d/b/a Primo’s Lounge
• La Fuente 4 Mexican Restaurant LLC d/b/a La Fuente 4 Mexican Restaurant (as being within 100 feet of a place of worship)

Five locations failed to pay their renewal fees and/or disciplinary fines and so the Board issued non-renewals to the following locations:

• AR Oil Inc. d/b/a AR Oil Inc
• Briplace, Inc. d/b/a Brian’s Place
• DGC 13201, Inc. d/b/a El Progreso Latino
• Maria’s Pizza of Amboy Inc. d/b/a Maria’s Pizza
• YMPV, Inc. d/b/a Crave Bar & Food Joynt

The meeting concluded with the Board rescinding a handler denial as the individual had cleared an alleged outstanding tax issue and, lastly, there was a final order on a 320 Petition with Accel Entertainment Gaming, LLC withdrawing its filing against Midwest Electronics Gaming, LLC d/b/a ME Gaming.

That concludes the summary of this month’s meeting. The next meeting will be held on Thursday, June 6, 2024.

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